What is an Embedded System?

What is an embedded system?

An embedded system is not a microprocessor used in a

traditional computing application
desktop
laptop
workstation
An embedded system is a microprocessor used as a component
in another piece of technology

cell phone
digital camera
portable digital assistant
household appliance
automobile antilock brake system
. . . (how many can you name)?

Are embedded systems common? According to Tennenhouse

[4], in the year 2000

150 million microprocessors used in traditional computers

8 billion microprocessors used in embedded applications!!

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

Where are Embedded Systems?

Many articles emphasize the growing ubiquity of embedded

microprocessors, including networked embedded processors. A
few examples:

The New York Times: Honey, I Programmed the Blanket

[2]
Communications of the ACM: Embedding the Internet [1]
any issue of Embedded Systems Programming Magazine
Embedded systems in Michigan:

automobiles (Ford, GM, and suppliers)

antilock braking systems
engine controls
active suspension
...
manufacturing
appliances (Whirlpool)
washers, dryers
toasters
...

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

General Types of Embedded Systems

According to Koopman [3], there are 4 types of embedded

systems

General
similar to traditional conputer systems, in a smaller package
PDAs
portable games
Communications
cell phones
Signal Processing
video and audio
Control
real time feedback control
automotive
aerospace
appliances

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

Characteristics of Embedded Systems

Embedded system applications are distinguished from

traditional applications by many factors. A partial list includes

cost
hardware (recurring engineering cost, pennies crucial in
consumer market)
software (nonrecurring engineering cost, but may limit timeto-market!)
Limits not usually present in desktop world:
memory
development environment
power consumption
operator interface
reliability
safety
real time critical
processor speed not as important as guaranteed response time
interface to environment through sensors and actuators
hybrid behavior interaction of continuous dynamics with
logic and finite state machines
Not all these issues are present in every embedded system...

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

Skills Needed for Embedded Applications

An embedded system application involves a diverse set of skills

that extend across traditional disciplinary boundaries, including

computer hardware
software
algorithms
interface electronics
application domain

How to make engineering tradeoffs that extend across

these boundaries?

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

Embedded Systems and You

As engineers, it is very likely that you will

design algorithms (control, signal processing) that will be

implemented on embedded microprocessors
design microprocessors to be used in embedded applications
design software (e.g, RTOS) for the embedded market
work in application fields that involve an embedded
microprocessor
develop sensors/actuators (e.g., MEMS devices) that may be
used in embedded systems
It is certain that you will encounter embedded systems in
all aspects of your daily life!

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008

References
[1] D. Estrin, R. Govindan, and John Heideman. Embedding the
internet. Communications of the ACM, 43(5):3941, May
2000.
[2] K. Hafner. Honey, I programmed the blanket. The New York
Times, May 1999.
[3] P. Koopman. Embedded systems in the real world. Carnegie
Mellon University, April 1998.
[4] D. Tennenhouse. Proactive computing. Communications of
the ACM, 43(5):4350, May 2000.

EECS461, Lecture 1, updated September 3, 2008